Music Archives | Otaku No Culture

The Problem is More Than Deep in Dongnan Chen’s Documentary, Singing in the Wilderness

Singing in the Wilderness doesn’t have anthropologists explaining what’s going on. Instead, Chen is letting the moments he’s captured on film speak for itself.

Playing at the LAAPFF 2022 at the Directors Guild of America on May 6, 2022 5:00 pm (buy tickets)

Dongnan Chen‘s Singing in the Wilderness (旷野歌声) is a very sombre look at lives of those still living at Little Well Village in Yunnan Province, China. The Miao Christian Choir found fame when they appeared on national television back around 2003, and this documentary looks at what’s come from it, for better or worse. I see their struggle for self worth and question if embracing a different religion is good for their soul, especially when there’s still individuals still struggling.

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Rock on FAKY! On the Release of the Music Video Futakoito.

Japanese girl-group FAKY has a Futakoito Music Video!

FAKY

Japanese girl group FAKY’s latest single, “Futakoito,” was released, and Vocaloid producer Aqu3ra couldn’t be happier. This visually gorgeous and poetic piece blends a few music styles together into a symphonic treat. Although no translation was made available at time of release, hopefully this can change in the coming weeks–or fans can wait for the release of Ox-Head Village, an upcoming horror movie by ‘Ju-On’ creator Takashi Shimizu.

This filmmaker released a statement about the music video. “The lyrics in this song about ‘another me (myself)’ are indeed the hidden theme of this movie. In an era where social media allows any of us to become someone else, can the two sides of the ego coexist? Will you struggle and be sucked in? Can you hold on to the essence of yourself?”

“Thank you Aqu3ra for putting together the pieces of this movie. And thank you FAKY for collaborating with me once again!”

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Belle. You Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore…

At this film’s core is the music that’s just as inspiring as an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

GKIDS
Jan 14, 2022 (North America)
Feb 4 (United Kingdom)
MIld Spoiler Alert

Mamoru Hosoda’s Belle is a triumph on many levels. Not only is the animation astounding because it had assistance with Cartoon Saloon (with Studio Chizu producing), but also it goes beyond being a simple fairy tale. There’s a message of hope in this tale about Suzu Naito (Kaho Nakamura), a young teen who lost all sense of feeling. As a child who saw her mom die, it’s easy to understand why. Nobody else was willing to help a random kid stuck in the middle of a raging river but this courageous woman did.

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Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong with Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu’s Suki! ~Cho ver~

Yoshikawa Hiyori represented the group’s feelings by saying, “Let’s make the word ‘Suki!’ a universal language! I hope that more and more people around Japan and the rest of the world can get to know Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu.

‘Suki! ~Cho ver~’, the J-pop hit from Japanese idol group Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu is sweeping the world! This bouncy number is everything one would expect from a kawaii group of performers. This all-girl band of merry performers from Japan is making waves as their song is charting everywhere. On Apple Music’s country by country charts, it’s hit No. 2 in Azerbaijan, No. 10 in Portugal, No. 15 in Norway, and remains in the top 50 from Ecuador to Sweden (as of November 18).

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From Graphic Novel to Film, The Secret Path’s Hidden Message…

This work is a highly emotional piece. A box of tissues is recommended because of the visual narrative presented.

Playing at Devour! Food & Film Festival In-Person and Online

Oct 21, 2021 10 to 11am
Al Whittle Theatre
Wolfville NS

Tickets are $5

Also available on Apple TV

The animated film adaptation of Jeff Lemire’s graphic novel, The Secret Path, may seem like an unusual choice for a film festival about food, but I know why. It’s essential to know this bit of Canadian history and its presentation on the big screen will make the message all the more powerful. This offering is part of this year’s RBC Big Picture Program. Its focus is on how cinema can teach kids in schools about various impacts in society, history and the environment. The organizers behind this program are Devour! Film and Food Fest and Nourish Nova Scotia.

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Maika Loubté’s Show Me How Remix Now Available!

Maika Loubté channels feelings indescribable by words into music - TOKION Tokyo based singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Maika Loubté has a brand new remix! “Show Me How” is now available, starting today, to stream and view.

This ethereal take maintains the similar emotion of the original track, while giving it a new life by adding light, youthful, and percussive energy. Kan Sano, a keyboardist, remixer, and producer has worked with many artists across Japan and he is regarded as one of the most important figures in the country’s music scene today.

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